When I was reading Sonia Correa and Susie Jolly’s “Development’s encounter with sexuality: essentialism and beyond”, I couldn’t help but think of Uganda’s push to criminalize and punish homosexuality with death. The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2014, which is popularly known as the “Kill the Gays bill”, passed the Uganda Parliament late 2013. The bill not only broadened and escalated the criminalisation of same-sex relations domestically but also included the criminalisation of homosexual Ugandans outside of Uganda and required the extradition of them for punishment. While the bill states that only those who engage in “aggravated homosexuality” and are HIV-positive will be prosecuted, it also requires citizens to report anyone suspected of same-sex relations within 24 hours or else they would be prosecuted as well. Fortunately, in August of 2014, the bill was repealed after pressures from the international community. However, social pressures against non-heterosexuality are still very present within the country.
While the moral implications of this are obvious, it’s important to also look at the criminalisation of homosexuality through a development lens. Making homosexuality, and HIV positive status, illegal is a sure-fire way to create an epidemic within an area. During the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, the gay community led the education effort and informed themselves and others about the disease and how to prevent it from spreading, to great success. In particular, early detection of the virus is critical. In a country such as Uganda during the time of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, being tested for HIV was a dangerous act. If a person was found to be HIV-positive, and suspected of having contracted it through same-sex relations, they were required to be reported to the government and subsequently arrested. Without early detection, HIV is more likely to spread. Without medical help, people will get sicker and are less likely to help contribute to the economy or social system.
There has been an incredible documentary produced about the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill called “Call Me Kuchu”. The documentary follows an organization that fought the bill and eloquently demonstrates their many, many challenges. I strongly suggest watching it whenever you get a chance.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteThis is so true and thanks to the international committees for imposing threats which eventually pushed the government to spare the lives and freedom of the LGBT community in Uganda. I recall a statement by the general director for the commission of health, saying that the gay people should not be allowed to access medical facilities, knowing the fact that Uganda is ranked at the top as one of countries where the rate of HIV/AIDS is very high. Also, not forgetting the point that other countries such as Nigeria, Zimbambwe, and Egypt supported this move, calling homosexuality foreign and evil. Economically speaking, this is one of the major issues why Africa remains to lag behind in terms of development. Most of the African leaders tend to be ignorant and have simply refused to approach some of these social issues affecting the well-being of the society which, in turn, have led to poor economic performance hence, high rate of poverty.
You bringing up Uganda made think of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euXQbZDwV0w
ReplyDeleteFew years ago, together with my friends from different countries in Europe we had a good laugh over this video. And it is indeed hilarious in its stupidity. For us, for those who find it legitimate for all forms of sexuality to equally coexist it seems ridiculous to make the statements like the “chairman of the national taskforce against homosexuality” does. But back then, I didn’t even think about this video as actual everyday reality for so many LGBT people in Uganda. For me it was haha stuff on YouTube. Because for my friends and me it was something alien and hard to comprehend as a real life.
Even now, I can’t help laughing at this video. But now it strikes me so hard that THIS is actually mainstream thinking in Uganda. This is what makes homosexuality a crime in this country. How hard must that be to live in a place where your sexuality, sexual identity, sex behavior is crime or in the best case scenario is considered a disease. And unfortunately, there are so many countries like this.
This attitude towards non-traditional sexual orientation is often driven by dominant religious institutions in the country. But at the same time we have an example of Ireland – very religious catholic country – that recently voted (!!!) in favor of same sex marriages. As of now it looks like the world is getting polarized in how it perceives homosexuality: as a human right or as a crime.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this video Erin! I cannot help but draw comparisons to the situation of the LGBTQ community in my own country. In July 2009 there was a moment of hope when the High Court of Delhi ruled to decriminalize homosexuality. This moment was but short lived. In December 2013, the Supreme Court of India overturned this judgment on the grounds that amending or repealing laws was a matter for the Parliament and not the judiciary. The incontestable fact remains that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code relegates our LGBTQ community to the fringes and forces them to live in fear just like the community in Uganda.
ReplyDeleteApart from the severe legal repercussions, one of the biggest problems I believe is the serious misinformation and misunderstanding that surrounds issues of gender and sexuality in our countries. The video that Mila shared is laughable and extremely painful at the same time. It goes to show how important it is for us to change the way we talk about gender and sexuality in development. We really need to question the way we do gender and live sexuality. We also really need to question our need for labels, because in doing so we inevitable marginalize non conforming bodies.
An interesting statement that the protagonist in your video makes is the role that the American religious group played in establishing the anti-gay movement in Uganda. This also brings me to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which is but a part of the legacy that our British colonizers left behind for us. It makes me think of how these are yet more examples of societies being caught in the destructive wake of colonization or neo-colonization.